Batra joins Halifax Tides FC as sporting director

Acadia soccer head coach Amit Batra has joined Halifax Tides FC as sporting director. 

The Tides will play in the Northern Super League, which will play its first season in 2025. 

While taking on his exciting new role with the Tides, Batra will continue to serve as Acadia head coach - entering his 14th season.

“I’m proud of what we’ve done at Acadia and the support we’ve had that has made it possible," he saiid. "What we’ve built here couldn’t be accomplished without the great student-athletes we have as well as the efforts of our tremendous coaches and supporters. It is their efforts that make it possible to continue to pursue our ambition of another championship and a chase another medal game at nationals while also being at the forefront of creating opportunities that are long overdue for our women to continue in their sport after the university careers are done.”

Since joining Acadia in 2010, Batra landed the program six AUS championship game appearances, and claimed the 2021 AUS Championship. In his time leading the team they have an impressive overall record of 71 wins, 16 losses, and 24 draws. He showed his empowerment and development skills through the accolades his players earned with one AUS MVP, one AUS rookie of the year, and three AUS student-athlete community service awards. On the national level, his athletes enjoyed 11 U SPORTS all-Canadian awards, three all-rookie team players, one U SPORTS student-athlete community service award and three overall U SPORTS championships appearances. His leadership extends beyond the pitch, where he served as director of student recruitment for the university as well, where he excelled in fostering growth and innovation.

Away from Acadia, his influence spans across grassroots development, with impactful contributions to Soccer Nova Scotia, Scotia Soccer Club (now Suburban FC), where he achieved notable regional and provincial successes. His tenure also includes roles as head coach at Mount Saint Vincent University and co-technical director at Dartmouth United Soccer Club (now United DFC), where he cultivated talent and mentored aspiring coaches in his community. 

Batra aims to cultivate a dynamic program at the Tides, fostering a local culture of excellence to elevate on-field performances and inspire the next generation of female players, coaches, and sports executives. While he’s not busy building a professional women’s soccer club, you can find him coordinating his son’s busy sports and extracurricular schedule, including soccer and paddling.